Similar to data on a launch monitor the numbers on my Fitbit do not lie.

Exhaust me, maybe, although being a veteran of 22 previous PGA Merchandise Shows that should always be an expected outcome of attending the annual ‘major’ of the golf industry.

The 66th edition of the trade-only affair wrapped up in Orlando, Fla, Friday with the usual 40,000 attendees, more than 1,000 exhibitors and about 200 new companies — including a handful of first-time Canadian brands — showcasing new product, services and technologies amid what the folks at PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions refer to as ‘10 miles of aisles.’

Perhaps inflated slightly this year with a co-tenant, the Racquet & Paddle Sports Conference & Show Preview (with Hank Haney doing a demonstration of Pickle Ball), occupying Halls E and F, but even in a more condensed version the Show remains a demanding test physically. Attending places a high premium on foot comfort, plenty of stamina and, in my case, the requirement for a dependable pedometer.

So, what was my final Fitbit tally? Counting two days on the PGA Merchandise Show floor last week and multiple loops around the 1.6-km circular range at Orange County National Golf Club for Demo Day, I managed a total of 41,867 steps or about 32 km. Not bad. Think of it as 36-hole days three days-in-a-row.

While TaylorMade’s lack of presence was evident and booth infrastructure among exhibitors was noticeably scaled back on the floor and at Demo Day, the attendee vibe felt as upbeat and as positive as I’ve seen it for quite some time. On Thursday Scotty Cameron and I were looking out from an upstairs privacy enclave on wall-to-wall people, not only in the Titleist booth, but all the way down one of the Show floor’s main aisles.

“To be part of this energy is something I would miss if I didn’t come,” Cameron said. “The Show might change but what never changes is the passion here.”

My Top 5 Themes:

Driver Year

Some will argue that every year feels like a driver year but this year’s Show proved the category is poised to be at another level in 2019. PING’s G410, Callaway’s Epic Flash, Cobra’s King F9 Speedback, Titleist’s TS2/TS3, Srixon’s Z 785, Wilson Golf’s D7 and Cortex, Tour Edge’s Exotics EXS and one of my top 10 new products at this year’s Show, Mizuno’s ST190, all were in Orlando last week. Absent from the PGA Show was TaylorMade’s M5/M6, PXG’s 0811X/0811XF GEN 2, Bridgestone’s Tour B JGR and Honma Golf’s BeZeal 585. One thing is certain: if you’re in the market for a new driver, this season has an incredible array of technology options.

Range Infusion

More course owners, directors of golf and chief executives of clubs continue to seek ways to maximize range facility potential through continued investment in entertainment/simulator-based technologies, shelters and cover units to protect golfers, sensitive equipment and even lighting to extend hours. Turning the range into its own distinct and memorable experience had more assets and options all over the Show floor.

Personal Launch Monitors

Mainstay launch monitors such as TrackMan, Foresight GC Quad and FlightScope are out of the reach of most consumers but smaller personal units such as FlightScope mevo, Voice Caddie Swing Caddie SC200, SkyTrak, Ernest Sports ES12 and others continue to advance with more precision, data capability and options. And they don’t require a second mortgage.

Arccos & PING Alignment

Neither side sent out a press release or made any kind of official announcement but a PING and Arccos partnership has formed. It will see Arccos’ game tracking available on PING clubs as early as this spring, turning the Phoenix brand into an option for ‘smart’ clubs. Up until now the only company able to leverage the Arccos platform has been Cobra.

Strategic Alliance for Co-Location

This barely raised an eyebrow on the Show floor but the National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA of America and PGA Golf Exhibitions are mirroring a recent announcement by their Canadian counterparts by announcing a multi-year strategic alliance to co-locate the annual Golf Business Conference with the PGA Merchandise Show starting in 2020. To have course owners, club professionals and the industry come together at the same time is not only forward thinking, it will also allow for more interaction and, in the end, more opportunities to help the game.